RovR TravelR 30 Review

The RovR TravelR 30 excels in its insulation performance, maintaining its chilly temperatures longer than the rest. The cooler is easy to use, though it lacks the collapsibility for tight storage. It has a large internal capacity and a watertight zipper that adds to its excellent durability.

Performance Comparison

Insulation

Our most important metric is the insulation performance of each cooler. After all, a cooler that doesn't keep its belongings cold defeats the purpose of owning one. To test the efficacy of each model, we filled them with ice and nuzzled a small device that measures temperature within. We put the coolers in a temperature-controlled room for 10 days without opening them. After the week and a half was up, we collected the data, noting two key temperature thresholds. The first was 40 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the FDA-recommended food-safe temperature. Next, we noted when the internal temperature hit 50°F, which is the ideal beer-drinking temperature.

The RovR TravelR was the top performer in this metric. The soft cooler lasted an impressive 74 hours before hitting the 40° mark. It clocked in a whopping 81 hours before it reached the 50° point. The lunchbox-style cooler is made from heavy-duty nylon, TPU, and one inch of high-density foam. You should have no trouble making it to the other side of the weekend with this model, especially if you choose to pre-chill the cooler. Should a day trip be on your agenda, you'll have more than enough cooling power to keep your perishables fresh.

Convenience

There are several key points to note when considering the convenience of a soft cooler. The first is access. We inspected how easy it was to open and close the model. Along with this, we noted if the lid closed automatically on our hands, which can be a slight annoyance when reaching for a snack. Then, we cleaned each model by simply wiping it down, noting any troubles that appeared. Finally, we looked into how well the soft cooler stores. Since soft coolers have the benefit of being compressible as compared to hard coolers, we looked at how easy it was to stash these in tight places.

The RovR TravelR is easy to open and close. Once open, the lid stays in place and doesn't shut on its own. The zipper itself is waterproof, so it's a great option to take boating or kayaking. As with many waterproof zippers, it takes a slight effort to get it open; however, we didn't find this one to be as difficult as some others in the lineup. Cleaning the RovR was also very straightforward. The interior material is smooth and easy to wipe down. And, since the lid stays open, it dries out fast. The soft cooler is on the more rigid side, so it doesn't collapse or fold down whatsoever. It does have a large footprint, so it's not the easiest to store in tight places.

Portability

The RovR TravelR is equipped with two main carrying systems. The first is a padded and removable shoulder strap. The strap has two carabiners that fasten to the attachment points welded into the cooler. The shoulder strap is adjustable and fairly comfortable to wear. The second is two carry handles similar to a duffel bag. The handles velcro together with a lightly padded handle.

Because the RovR TravelR is so large, it can be a bit cumbersome to transport around. When halfway full, the contents can be felt sloshing around inside, causing a bit of swaying. Overall, the strap system is comfortable, but because the model is so bulky, it can be a bit challenging to carry long distances. With that in mind, short distances are much easier to tackle. For the same bulky reasons, the TravelR isn't the easiest to lift overhead. However, lifting from the ground to a car or counter is far more doable.

Packability

We tested the RovR to see what kind of contents it could hold, including odd-shaped items. We looked into any additional storage and then compared these results to the others in the lineup. We measured this model at roughly 27 L and capable of holding 39 cans with ice.

The traveler holds much more than just cans. It's large enough to hold a wine bottle and all sorts of other perishable goodies. The cooler is deep, but it isn't too cavernous when trying to reach for specific items. Overall, the cooler is easy to pack and fits just about anything you could want for your daily picnic. However, it lacks external pockets. It does include 12 gear loops on the front and back side of the cooler, which are great places to clip on a travel mug or car keys.

Durability

Lastly, we tested for longevity and durability. We inspected both the interior and exterior, looking for any weak points or signs of wear. Throughout our entire testing process, we noted if anything broke or felt fragile. We also conducted a thorough soak test. We filled buckets with water and left the coolers to soak for hours on end. When we came back, we inspected the entire cooler to see whether or not water had seeped into the inside or exterior fabric.

The TravelR was one of the most durable products in this lineup. During the soak test, it didn't appear to be phased by the water one bit. The exterior had minor droplets of water that could easily be wiped or shaken off. The interior was completely dry, proving its waterproof zipper was effective. After the entire testing process, it has some minor scuffs that wiped off easily. It can handle the occasional bump against a rock or tree, and we have no major concerns about its longevity.

Should You Buy the RovR TravelR 30?

The Rover TravelR is an all-around excellent soft cooler. It keeps its contents cool for longer than all the other coolers in this lineup and is big enough to hold just about anything you could need for a daily outing. If you're looking for cooler power, you can't get much better than the TravelR. It's also very easy to use and clean. However, it's on the larger side, making it a bit more challenging to transport around. Furthermore, it's an investment, although this might be worth it for someone who plans on using it often.

What Other Soft Cooler Should You Consider?

If you're not looking to spend too much on a soft cooler, there are plenty of other great options. The RTIC Backpack 30 is roughly half the price of the RovR TravelR and still does well in its insulation performance. It also has the added advantage of being highly portable. On the other hand, the unique RovR KeepR offers a lidless approach that is great for building a snack platter or portable bar.